3D technologies for archaeology have won a broad popularity in the last couple years. 3D models of finds or whole excavations are documented digitally and archived, sometimes even published. The focus often lies in the development of technological innovations (better cameras, higher resolution, etc.) or the discussion about the value of 3D data and its possibility to archive it. So far, the value of 3D technologies for teaching and for research within archaeology was neglected however. New to this topic is the immersive approach through Virtual Reality to dive into ancient spaces rather than watching them on a computer monitor.

Since 2016, the Stifterverband and the Ministry for Culture and Science of Northrhine Westfalia give away fellowships for innovations in digital teaching every year. This fellowship is a person-bound individual grant to offer space and ressources to create innovations in teaching. A fellowship is endowed up to 50.000 Euro and the period of sponsorship endures up to one year.

Besides the acquisition of new gear for the CoDArchLab (VR goggles, computers, 3D printer, books, RTI domes) a two-day symposium with the topic of "Digital methods for teaching and learning in Archaeology" was organised at the University of Cologne. In it, we communicated with experts in academic teaching, museums and distribution of archaeological knowledge about modern approaches in teaching. The topics included 3D visualisation, 3D printing, Archaeogaming and further interesting subjects. The results of this symposium was published in an open access publication in 2020.

Supervisor of the Project:

• Sebastian Hageneuer

Funding:

• Stifterverband

Open Access Publication:

• Hageneuer, Sebastian, Hrsg. 2020. Communicating the Past in the Digital Age: Proceedings of the International Conference on Digital Methods in Teaching and Learning in Archaeology (12th-13th October 2018). London: Ubiquity. https://doi.org/10.5334/bch.

Further information:

• Complete project proposal (in German)
• Website for the Symposium "Communicating the Past in the Digital Age"